Wondering what to wear in Germany in July? Although this country isn’t known for its Mediterranean beaches and islands (it has neither!) the weather in Germany in summer still can sizzle.
I’m saying that as a sun creature. I was really excited to swap rainy season in Mexico City for summer in Germany in July a few years ago where we enjoyed sweltering sunshine and almost completely cloudless skies.
Of course, one component key to a happy vacation is getting the packing list right. When choosing what to wear in Germany in summer, you need to consider the typical weather and the kinds of activities you’ll be partaking in.
Whether you’re visiting Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, or Munich, this guide to what to pack for summer in Germany will help you determine what to take.
Weather in Germany in July
July and August are the hottest months in Germany.
Cities in Germany in July such as Berlin generally see highs of 25°C (77°F) and lows of 14°C (58°F). While that doesn’t sound too hot, it can be quite humid and when the sun is shining, it has a serious strength.
Check the temperatures the week before your trip and keep an eye on them in the days leading up to departure. During heatwaves, the cities can reach highs of over 30°C (85°F).
Munich in July follows similar conditions to Berlin. Located slightly further north, Hamburg in July tends to be a few degrees cooler but still sees an average daytime temperature of 21°C (70°F).
In the evenings, it mostly stayed warm in Berlin in July. I packed a thin cardigan for cool evenings but never needed it.
We were quite lucky not to experience any rain either. German summers usually include some evening thunderstorms because of all of the humidity and August is one of the wettest months.
What to Wear in Germany in July
Germany is a liberal country.
After living in Mexico for two years where women in particular are a bit more conservative, it was nice to be able to wear pretty much what I wanted without being stared at or wolf-whistled.
I saw plenty of tourists and locals wearing short shorts, low-cut tops, tank tops, crop tops, and mini skirts and dresses.
In fact, it’s so liberal that you can even go naked sunbathing in some parks in Munich in July and August!
If you’re going to a music festival in Germany during your trip, you may want to consider adding a few more fun clothes to your packing list. Otherwise, this packing list for summer in Germany covers the essentials.
1. Shorts (and skirts)
I am a lover of jean shorts. I have two pairs that I absolutely love and take with me everywhere.
They’re lightweight, coordinate with everything, and are comfortable. Yet, they still manage to make me feel stylish without taking too much time to get dressed in the mornings.
The less hassle the better is kind of my favorite thing, especially when I’m traveling.
I can vouch for Madewell jean shorts for what to wear in Germany in July. They carry a variety of sizes, cuts, and washes and their denim is really great quality. They’re not the cheapest option but they last a long time.
Madewell also makes linen shorts and twill shorts which you might prefer. These are just as fantastic for cycling around Hamburg in July as for exploring Germany’s fairytale castles.
Trying to look casual and cool in front of the Charlottenburg Palace in one of my go-to summer travel outfits.
2. Light-colored dresses
Like I mentioned above, the sun in Germany in July is H-O-T. That means black is not a great idea; go for light-colored shirts and dresses to keep cool and avoid sweat stains.
I love white, cream, and pale pink when I’m traveling in the summertime. These colors are perfect for what to wear in Germany in summer as they don’t shout to the world that you have back sweat and they don’t attract the sun as much as darker colors.
This linen shirt dress is made from a breathable material and is stylish but comfortable. It’s lovely to throw on for a day of museum-hopping and garden strolling in Berlin in July.
Germany in July is also a great opportunity to experiment with fun patterns and bold colors. This mini shirtdress or this cotton floral dress will put a spring in your step.
This was one of the hottest days in Berlin that we experienced and I was so glad to have this lightweight dress on!
3. Linen tops and cotton t-shirts
Natural materials are a must when packing for any European summer destination.
Ever since I picked up a couple of summery linen tops in Bali a few years ago (modeled in some of these pictures!), I’ve learned that lightweight linen shirts are perfect for traveling during the hot summer months (or anywhere hot throughout the year, like Mexico!).
The louder the prints and colors, the better for vacation. This cotton-blend top in papaya is perfect to wear in Munich in July when exploring the gardens (and beer gardens).
Stick to light colors to avoid overheating. Throw in a couple of white/gray cotton t-shirts and tank tops and at least one floaty top to team with shorts, skirts, jeans, and summery trousers.
A light colored shirt and my fave jean shorts in front of the Berlin wall!
4. Comfortable walking shoes
Touring a European city usually means lots of walking on cobbled and uneven streets and sidewalks. While German cities are well connected with trams, buses, and subway networks, you’ll still likely do a ton of walking around museums and neighborhoods.
Longtime readers know I’m a huge lover of Rainbow Flip Flops. They are super comfortable and come in tons of different colors and styles. They are leather flip-flops with good arch support and you can walk in them for hours and hours.
You can’t help but notice that Birkenstock sandals are everywhere in Germany, and so they should be, it’s a German company.
I’m not a huge fan of the chunky sandal, but they do have a ton of different styles these days (and the Barbie movie has ramped up their street cred). They also come in cool colors and patterns and they are seriously comfortable.
I’ve come to appreciate how a cute pair of sneakers can be with jean shorts and dresses. Two of my favorite brands for traveling are Vans and Converse. Unless you’re going to formal places, you can wear these at night too.
Choose colors that go with most things like white (although I learned the hard way that these get VERY dirty when traveling in cities), gray, black, or navy blue.
5. Hat
This was a lesson I had to learn the hard way (thankfully my boyfriend packed two hats). The European sun is strong and a hat is a must for what to wear in Germany in summer.
I ended up donning a trucker-style baseball cap but you can plan ahead and avoid my silly mistake.
Pack a hat that will go with all of your outfits and that you feel comfortable wearing in both the countryside and the city. Something like this trendy fedora.
Chilling along the Spree in Berlin in my sneakers after a long day of walking with the cheapest beer you can buy in the grocery store!
6. Sunscreen
Another must during summer in Germany. I try to avoid using chemical sunscreens and have tried a few different ones.
My current favorite is the Badger Zinc mineral sunscreen. The small size is a carry-on size at just under 100ml, but it lasts SO LONG because you only need a very small amount.
Note that the weather in Germany in July can be overcast, especially in the north. However, you still need to cover up with SFP on cloudy or drizzly days.
Sunglasses and hats are a must (except I always took mine off for a photo! haha)
7. Sunglasses
You definitely can’t leave your hotel without your sunglasses.
While I was in Germany in July, it was clear blue skies every single day of the eight days I was there. I didn’t see anywhere selling cheap sunglasses, so if you do forget, you’ll have to visit a mall to grab yourself a pair.
Classic styles like aviators or wayfarers will not only protect your eyes but will go with any outfit you have on.
8. Umbrella
Seeing as it might rain at any point, a compact travel umbrella is a handy addition to what to pack for summer in Germany!
The other option is to pack a lightweight rain jacket. You won’t need a proper jacket unless a cold snap is expected but a little raincoat means you can still go out and enjoy walking tours and cycling tours come rain or shine.
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